Hutson gets physical at World Junior Summer Showcase

PLYMOUTH, Mich. -- Lane Hutson proudly wore the bruise on the right side of his forehead, sustained during some rough play during USA White's 4-2 loss to Finland at the 2023 World Junior Summer Showcase on Saturday.

The Montreal Canadiens defenseman prospect already is renowned for his offensive ability. Now he'd like to show the hockey world that there's a lot more to his game.

"Obviously when push comes to shove, you've just got to push back harder," he said. "And I feel like that's something I pride myself in and that's something that they're trying to stress here."

Hutson, who tied New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes, then with the University of Michigan, for the NCAA lead among defensemen with 48 points (15 goals, 33 assists) in 39 games as a freshman at Boston University last season, also had an assist on the first-period goal by Rutger McGroarty (Winnipeg Jets). He skated the puck up the ice, drew the defense and then made a pass back into the slot, where McGroarty tapped it in.

"That's what 'Hutty' does," McGroarty said. "Hutty doing Hutty things."

Those things also include Hutson holding his own when play turns physical and using his strength to hold off the opposition to make plays with the puck.

"He's got that dog mentality," McGroarty said. "He comes to work every single day. He's super competitive. He gets [angry] if we lose. He's one of the most competitive people I've ever seen."

United States coach David Carle sees that competitiveness with the way Hutson defends.

"People want to talk about his play with the puck, but his angles and his edges, the way he controls people with his stick and his feet make him, I think, an excellent defender as well," he said. "That's probably been the one thing that, watching from afar, from where we are, we don't see him a lot. But you see that being on the ice with him here."

Hutson (5-foot-9, 158 pounds) feels stronger after his first season of college hockey, and if the 19-year-old can continue developing his game the same way this season, the NHL will be even more of a possibility.

"It's definitely something I think about," he said. "I definitely feel like I'm inching closer. Slow and steady, but it's a marathon, not a sprint. I'm looking forward to another great year at BU."

Bystedt looking to be leader for Sweden

Filip Bystedt (San Jose Sharks) is one of seven Sweden players at the WJSS who played on the team that finished fourth at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Going through that experience has the 19-year-old forward looking for a leadership role with the team for the 2024 WJC.

"I want to give my game and my personality to the team to help the team get the gold medal," Bystedt said. "I'm more of a lead by example guy. I'm not the loudest guy, but I can talk to them. When stuff isn't right I will say it and I will try to tell the guys if something's wrong and try to fix it."

Bystedt tied Florida Panthers defenseman prospect Ludvig Jansson for the Sweden lead at the 2023 WJC with 10 points (four goals, six assists) in seven games, and coach Magnus Havelid is hoping for even more at the 2024 tournament.

"I think he looks like he's taken another step this year," Havelid said. "I think he's been more steady defensively but he's still an offensive player. He helps us speed up the game, play up tempo. When he comes up from behind he can see the ice very well, the way we can attack. I'm looking forward to following him this week and this season, of course."

Halttunen figuring out future

Finland forward Kasper Halttunen has some decisions to make regarding his future.

The Sharks prospect could play a second season with HIFK in Liiga, the top professional league in Finland. There's also the opportunity to play for London of the Ontario Hockey League, which selected him in the first round (No. 41) of the 2022 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.

Halttunen had one assist in 27 Liiga games and 24 points (18 goals, six assists) in 18 games in Finland's junior league.

"It's historically the biggest club in Finland," the 18-year-old said of HIFK. "It's an honor to play in their red jersey. When all the fans are there, it's an unbelievable honor to play with HIFK."

But Halttunen, who signed a three-year, entry-level contract with San Jose on July 12, isn't making any commitments yet.

"You keep your doors open," he said. "But it's too early. I'm going to be with HIFK training with them now when I go home after this and we'll see how that goes."

No matter where he plays, Halttunen knows where he needs to get better.

"Just be quicker and have to react faster and stuff like that," he said. "And, of course, the skating is probably the biggest thing you have to improve."

Eiserman adjusting to pace

Cole Eiserman scored for USA White against Finland, and the top forward prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft seemed to get better as the game went on.

He played left wing on the fourth line and also saw time on the second power-play unit. His goal came on the power play at 16:00 of the second period.

"We haven't played in a couple months, so getting used to the pace, especially because they're a little older, but I feel like right away I kind of got used to it," the 16-year-old said. "You're playing with top-level guys so you've got to go to their level. Obviously as time went on, you get better at the pace."

Eiserman (5-11, 190) scored 26 goals in 20 games for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team, and 43 goals in 42 games for the NTDP U-17 team last season. He also tied Sharks forward prospect William Smith for the tournament lead with nine goals in seven games to help the U.S. win the 2023 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.

"I think anytime the puck goes in the back of the net you feel a little bit better, shoulders drop a little, you can breathe a little easier," Carle said. "Once that went in, you saw a little bit more spark in his game. That's what he does. He can score goals from many different spots on the ice, and I think you saw the confidence come out a little bit after that happened."